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Aussie Angel Wins Derby

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 6
There was an army of Kiwi raiders lining up in the $2million Group I ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday but the victory went to the Aussie's with Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell taking the prize with her Animal Kingdom (USA) gelding Angel of Truth.




Angel of Truth burst into Derby contention when leading all the way to win the Group II ATC Tulloch Stakes last Saturday at Rosehill and showed that win was no fluke when doing the same thing again.

Angel of Truth - images Steve HartRated a treat in front by Corey Brown, Angel of Truth always looked happy in transit and was never challenged in the run to the line to win as he pleased by more than three lengths with Kiwi Group I winner Madison County chasing home for second as he did in the Tulloch Stakes.

"He's a good horse," Markwell said.

"When I saw him prick his ears the 1000 metre mark I thought it was going to take a lot to run him down."

The previous best horse trained by Gwenda Markwell was former high class three year-old Grand Zulu, who won the Group I STC BMW in 2004, but was not allowed to run in the Derby due to his owner's preference to continue racing in Hong Kong.

"He's a lot like Grand Zulu, same colour and same nature," Markwell reflected.

"Someone sent me a picture of Grand Zulu in the paddock the other day, it was almost like he was giving me a sign that Angel was coming to win me the Derby."

A homebred for Ross Williams' Superhorse Trust, Angel Of Truth was foaled and raised at Coolmore and advances his record to five wins from eight starts with earnings of $1.4million.

Animal Kingdom He is the first foal of Bernardini (USA) mare Scarletini, who won up to 2400 metres in Melbourne and was fourth in the Group III WA Oaks. She was raced by Team Valor who also raced the Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom (USA).

Ross Williams purchased Scarletini for $80,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when carrying the Australian Derby winner.

Her unraced dam Red Light is a half-sister by Red Ransom to Listed winner Franjelica and hails from the international family of champions such as Treve, Triptych and Generous.

Scarletini has an unraced 2yo Uncle Mo (USA) filly named Jetline and a yearling filly by WS Cox Plate winner Adelaide (IRE).

Not served in 2017, Scarletini was covered by Stratum Star last spring.

Angel Of Truth becomes the first Group I winner for Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom (USA) who shuttled to Arrowfield for four seasons, the last in 2017.

Animal Kingdom is on the Darley America roster this year at a fee of $US15,000.





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